U.S. patent number 4,841,587 [Application Number 07/300,825] was granted by the patent office on 1989-06-27 for mat with sound system.
Invention is credited to John E. Carter, David R. Hernandez.
United States Patent |
4,841,587 |
Carter , et al. |
June 27, 1989 |
Mat with sound system
Abstract
A musical mat of the present invention includes a mat portion
having a pillow connected to one end thereof. The mat includes a
casing with a resilient padding material therein for supporting a
person. A pair of speakers are mounted in the pillow and spaced
apart so that a person can lie with his head between the speakers.
A radio, or other audio transmitting device, is maintained in
position within a pocket on the mat, and may be connected to a plug
which is electrically connected to the speakers in the pillow, to
transmit the audio signal to the speakers. The electrical conductor
connecting the plug to the speakers is mounted within the mat
casing and within the pillow, such that the wires do not interfere
with the person lying on the mat. The pocket for retaining the
audio transmitter is selectively fastened to the mat, to allow
removal of the pocket and transmitter for use of the mat without
the sound system. A series of solar panels is mounted along the
upper face of the lower end of the mat, which are selectively
electrically connected to allow an audio-transmitter, so as to
supply power from the solar panels. A series of transverse and
parallel seams are sewn completely through the mat so as to allow
the mat to be rolled up into a cylinder without the padding
material bunching within the mat casing. In a second embodiment, a
fastener strip is mounted along the longitudinal sides, and bottom
edge of the mat. A cover blanket is selectively fastened to the
fasteners to form a sleeping bag structure.
Inventors: |
Carter; John E. (Bellevue,
NE), Hernandez; David R. (Offutt Air Force Base, NE) |
Family
ID: |
23160748 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/300,825 |
Filed: |
January 23, 1989 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/419; 455/344;
5/413R; 5/420; 5/694; 5/904 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C
3/10 (20130101); A45C 9/00 (20130101); A45C
15/00 (20130101); A45F 4/02 (20130101); A47C
17/82 (20130101); A47C 21/003 (20130101); A47G
9/062 (20130101); A47G 9/1045 (20130101); H04R
5/023 (20130101); A47G 2009/006 (20130101); Y10S
5/904 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A45F
4/02 (20060101); A47C 9/00 (20060101); A47C
9/10 (20060101); A45F 4/00 (20060101); A45C
3/10 (20060101); A45C 15/00 (20060101); A45C
3/00 (20060101); A45C 9/00 (20060101); A47C
21/00 (20060101); A47G 9/06 (20060101); A47G
9/10 (20060101); A47G 9/00 (20060101); A47G
009/06 (); H04B 001/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;5/413,417-420,434,436,437,442,462,508 ;190/2 ;455/344 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Smith; Gary L.
Assistant Examiner: Trettel; Michael F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Zarley, McKee, Thomte, Voorhees
& Sease
Claims
We claim:
1. In combination:
a transportable mat, including a pair of opposite first and second
ends, a pair of opposite longitudinal sides, and upper and lower
faces;
said mat including a casing having resilient padding material
enclosed therein;
a pillow mounted to the first end of said mat, for supporting a
person's head;
speaker means mounted within said pillow for producing sound;
electrical conductor means electrically connected to said speaker
means, mounted within said pillow and extending within said padding
in said mat casing to a predetermined location on said mat; and
electrical connector means mounted on an end of said electrical
conductor means, and extending outwardly through said mat casing
for connection to an electronic audio transmitting means, such that
audio signals will be transmitted to said speakers when connected
to said connector means.
2. The combination of claim 1, further comprising means for
removably mounting audio transmitting means on said mat, located on
said mat casing adjacent said electrical connector means.
3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said means for removably
mounting audio transmitting means includes a pocket member
selectively removably fastened to said mat casing, said pocket
member adapted to retain an audio transmitting means in position on
said mat when fastened thereto.
4. The combination of claim 1, further comprising audio
transmitting means electrically connected to said connector means,
and adapted to transmit an audio signal to said speaker means.
5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said speaker means includes
first and second speakers spaced apart within said pillow a
distance to allow a person's head to be located therebetween.
6. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
spaced apart transverse and parallel seams formed in said mat,
affixing said upper and lower faces together to form a plurality of
transverse pockets with said padding material therein, whereby said
mat may be rolled in a longitudinal direction to form a cylinder,
the seams preventing movement of the padding material therein.
7.
The combination of claim 6, wherein said pillow is connected to
said mat with a seam adapted to allow the pillow to be rolled
within the mat for transportation thereof.
8.
The combination of claim 7, further comprising selectively operable
fastener means on the lower face of said mat adapted to selectively
maintain said mat in its generally cylindrical rolled-up
orientation, for transportation thereof.
9.
The combination of claim 8, further comprising adjustable carrying
strap means mounted transversely on said lower face of said mat,
for carrying said mat when it is in its rolled-up orientation.
10.
The combination of claim 1, further comprising:
solar panel means removably mounted on the upper face of said mat
adjacent said second end thereof, for converting sunlight to
electrical energy;
second electrical conductor means mounted within said mat casing
having one end electrically connected to said solar panel means and
having a second end extending through said padding in said casing
to a point adjacent said first electrical connector means; and
second electrical connector means mounted to said second end of
said second conductor means, extending outwardly through said mat
casing for connection to an electronic audio transmitting means,
such that electrical power from said solar panel means will be
supplied to the audio transmitting means when connected to said
second connector means.
11.
The combination of claim 1, further comprising a cover blanket
means selectively attached to said mat to selectively cover the
upper face thereof, and operable fastener means selectively and
operably fastening said blanket means in position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to transportable mats, and
more particularly to a combination mat and sound system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior to the present invention, there have existed a number of
patents directed to radio speakers and/or radio receivers and
speakers within the body of a pillow. Furthermore, mats have long
been utilized as a device to pad the surface upon which a person
will lay down. However, neither of these broad concepts have been
combined in a way which provides an easily transportable mat with a
pillow fixed thereto having a stereo sound system built directly
within the pillow.
Carrying bags adapted to be utilized in one form as a mat and in
another form as a handbag have also been known in the prior art.
One example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,195, which provides
some built-in, relatively rigid compartments which will hold
various items, and also includes a pair of handles such that the
mat may be folded in half like a suitcase and transported as
desired. The main problem with such devices is in the use of rigid
components which add weight and cumbersome dimensions for
transporting the device. Furthermore, no pillow is provided for the
user of the mat.
A problem with the prior art pillows having speakers therein, is in
the comfort of using such a pillow. Typically, the speakers are
located directly below the location of the head of the user, thus
reducing the amount of "stuffing" actually utilized by the person
on the pillow.
Another problem with prior art pillows having radios therein, is in
the fact that the radio in the pillow cannot be interchanged with
other music-playing devices. Nor is it easy to reach the tuning and
volume controls for the radio.
Finally, frequent use of a pillow with a radio or the like therein
requires frequent changing of the batteries, since typically an
electrical outlet is not convenient to the location where the mat
is being used.
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to
provide an improved combination transportable mat having a pillow
and music system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mat which
avoids the use of large rigid components, to increase the
transportability of the mat.
A further object is to provide a musical mat with speakers located
so as to allow full use of the thickness of the pillow.
Still another object of the present invention is t provide a
musical mat having interchangeable sound producing devices.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a
musical mat having a sound system which does not require
batteries.
These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent
to those skilled in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The musical mat of the present invention includes a mat portion
having a pillow connected to one end thereof to provide a surface
for a person to lay on. The mat includes a casing with a resilient
padding material therein for supporting a person. A pair of
speakers are mounted in the pillow and spaced apart so that a
person can lie with his head between the speakers. A radio, or
other audio-transmitting device, is maintained in position within a
pocket on the mtt, and may be connected to a plug which is
electrically connected to the speakers in the pillow, to transmit
the audio signal to the speakers. The electrical conductor
connecting the plug to the speakers is mounted within the mat
casing and within the pillow, such that the wires do not interfere
with the person lying on the mat. The pocket for retaining the
audio transmitter is selectively fastened to the mat, to allow
removal of the pocket and transmitter for use of the mat without
the sound system.
A series of solar panels is mounted along the upper face of the
lower end of the mat, which are electrically connected to a second
plug via a conductor mounted within the mat casing. The second plug
projects from the casing adjacent the first plug to allow an
audio-transmitting device to be powered by the solar panels.
A series of transverse and parallel seams are sewn completely
through the mat so as to allow the mat to be rolled up into a
cylinder without the padding material bunching within the mat
casing. A pair of connector straps will secure the mat in its
rolled-up cylindrical orientation to allow ease of transportation.
A carrying strap is mounted transversely to the lower face of the
mat which forms a handle for transporting the mat when in its
rolled-up orientation.
In a second embodiment, a fastener strip is mounted along the
longitudinal sides and bottom edge of the mat. A cover blanket is
selectively fastened to the fasteners to form a sleeping bag
structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention rolled out to
be used as a mat;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mat when rolled up into a
transportable condition;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the mat taken at lines 3--3 in FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through a portion of the
mat, with a person thereon; and
FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of a person transporting the
invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, in which similar or corresponding
parts are identified by the same reference numeral throughout the
drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the musical mat of the
present invention is designated generally at 10 and includes a
padded mat 12 having a pillow 14 attached at one end thereof. Mat
portion 12 includes a fabric casing 16 which contains a layer of
padding 18 (see FIG. 3) therein. A plurality of transverse seams 20
are sewn through the casing 16 and 18, in parallel lines, such that
the entire mat may be easily rolled into a cylindrical form.
Without such seams 20, the padding material could bunch up and make
rolling of the mat difficult. Seams 20 also assist mat 10 in
conforming to uneven ground surfaces.
A series of Velcro.RTM. (a trademark for an interengagng hook and
loop type fastener) strips 22, 24 and 26 are affixed to the upper
surface of mat 12 in a U-shape and will receive a flap of material
28 having corresponding Velcro.RTM. portions to removably attach
thereto. Flap 28 will connect with Velcro.RTM. strips 22, 24 and 26
to form a pocket which will receive a compact audio-transmitting
device 30. The flap 28 is removable, such that the
audio-transmitting device 30 may be interchanged with other types
of devices, or may be completely removed so as to utilize the mat
without the sound system.
A pair of electrical plugs 32 and 34 are affixed to casing 16 of
mat 12 adjacent the pocket for the musical system 30. Plug 34 is
electrically connected to an electrical cord 36 affixed within
casing 16 of mat 12 and extending to the lower end 12a of mat 12.
An additional plug 37 at lower end l2a of mat 12 projects from the
mat to receive an electrical conductor 38 extending from a series
of solar panels 40 which may be removably mounted to the lower end
12a of mat 12. Solar panels 40 may be attached to the mat using
Velcro.RTM. 42 (not shown) or the like, such that the solar panels
may be removed by unplugging conductor 38 from plug 36 and
detaching the panels 40 from Velcro.RTM. 42.
The audio transmitter 30 may be plugged into plug 34 so as to
receive electrical energy from solar panels 40 if the mat is going
to be used in daylight. Other uses of the mat, where inadequate
light is present, would require that the musical device 30 be
battery powered.
Plug 32 is affixed to mat 12 and electrically connected to
electrical cord 44, which is sewn within mat casing 16 and extends
up into pillow 14. Cord 44 is then connected to a pair of speakers
46 and 48 located at opposite ends l4a of pillow 14. Speakers 46
and 48 should be spaced a great enough distance apart to allow the
user to utilize the portion of the pillow between the speakers
without interference with the speaker devices themselves. Speakers
46 and 48 are electrically connected through electrical cord 44 so
as to transmit either mono-aural or stereo recordings.
Pillow 14 is shown as generally cylindrical but may be of any
convenient size or shape, and is attached to the upper end l2b of
mat 12. In this fashion, the mat may be rolled into a cylinder by
initiating the rolling of the mat with pillow 14, and wrapping mat
12 around pillow 14.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the mat and pillow combination may be
rolled into a generally cylindrical bundle and fastened by use of
Velcro.RTM. 50 or other similar connector. A carrying strap 52
extends between a buckle 54 adjacent one edge of mat 12 and buckle
56 adjacent the opposite edge of mat 12. Strap 52 is connected to
buckles 54 and 56 so as to be adjustable in length. The mat may
then be carried over the shoulder or back by lengthening the
carrying strap.
Referring now to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of the invention 10'
includes a mat portion 12' with a pillow 14' attached at the upper
end. An audio-transmitting device 30' is selectively attached to
mat 12' within pocket 28', and is electrically connected to
speakers 46' and 48' in the same manner as the first embodiment of
invention 10.
The musical mat 10' differs from the first embodiment in the use of
a cover blanket 58 which may be selectively attached to the upper
surface of mat portion 12'. A series of Velcro.RTM. strips 60, 62
and 64 are mounted along the longitudinal sides and bottom end of
mat 12', respectively, and may be selectively fastened to
corresponding strips (not shown) along the side edges and bottom
end of blanket 58. In this fashion, mat 10' may be utilized as a
sleeping bag, making the mat even more versatile.
Whereas the invention has been shown and described in connection
with the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that
many modifications, substitutions and additions may be made which
are within the intended broad scope of the appended claims. For
example, mat casing 16 and padding 18 may be of any desirable
material. Likewise, speakers 46 and 48 may be of any convenient
size as desired by the user. Thus, it can be seen that the musical
mat of the present invention fulfills at least all of the
above-stated objectives.
* * * * *